The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-10-02

of our bishops nave been |
verv roughly handled by Jealous and |
ignorant people, because they are
not always stamping out or putting |
down some doctrine or practice |
which lies altogether beyond their
lawful authority. The reason why |
our prelates, in their several do
ceses abstain for the most part from
staining out and putting down is
that they have no power to do either.
This is one OF the many reasons
which obviously render it impossible
for our bishops to act upon the ad-
vice in all cases, we believe, entirely
northumberland to them bywhollyu
irresponsible persons-as to the best
mode of administering their do
ceses. Some excellent man, for ex-
ample, has an aversion to banners, or
to eucharistic vestments, or TO vari-
ous.colored stoles, altogether out
of proportion to their real impor-
lance. Even in matters OF this sort,
which are sometimes called indiffer-
emit, there is always a better and
worse ; nay, there is even right and
a wrong. But the right and the
wrong are determined not by any
rubric or canon OF our own church.
for none such exist-but by common
sense, by knowledge OF the world, by
the love of God and of souls, by
sense Of the due proportion between
forms and realities, and, We may add,
by sense of humor. II is an enor-
nous safeguard for any clergyman to
be capable of discovering when he is
making himself ridiculous
The Independent says ut is a
fact that the dogma OF future proba-
ton has no standing or recognition
whatever in any missionary society
or other similar association in the
world, or in any theological semina-
~ except that at Audoyer, or in any
evangelical church, denomination,
or sect in christendom, and that
even its most ardent defenders con.
Tess that it cannot be proved OF sup
ported from the Bible. The absurd.
ity then Of trying TO .iorco the
American Board TO do what no Other
body Of Christians have yet done, oil
probably ever will do, must be ap
parent TO ever lover o.
| Christian honor and Bib,
truth. Having no Bible sup
port and no standing anywhere
in any evangelical church or sect, al
we have now stated, why in the
name Of common sense should any
missionary board or any other be-
nevolent institution be called upon
BY force, as IL were-to indorse OF
even TO recognize this future proba'
ton dogma, OF any other mere specu
latiou? The notice, even, OF such |
matter in any way by the American
Board-except indefinitely 20 post
pone its consideration-would be
startling and monstrous violation O
every rule of safety or propriety
For the board. as such, cannot tax
any action which shall commit III
churches in regard to future probn
ton or any other new views 0
'speculations' whatever, not plaipl
revealed in scripture, with
out direct and specially delegate
authority from the churches preyi
ously sought and intelligently given
Ard the churches cannot, even by
unanimous vote Of every one in III
United States, legally authorize {
sanction the use Of one single doll
Of the trust funds in the treasul
Of the board for any purpose exec
10 conformity with the known wish
and stipulations Of the donors. Al
the officers or agents who may th'
= use them will make themselves lab
10 prosecution and punishment for
doing. Any intelligent lawyer wi
, say that the courts would, on appl
} cation, instantly restrain such actiC
by injunction"